Beyond the fiscal ledge: Five famous cliffs

Who says cliffs are all about a looming economic Armageddon?

The White Cliffs of Dover

These are the cliffs made famous by both Shakespeare (they are mentioned in “King Lear”) and in a 1942 popular song (“There’ll be bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover…”). But the real significance of the cliffs, which reach as high as 350 feet, may be the fact that they constitute the closest physical point between mainland England and France — a mere 21 miles. And let’s not forget their striking whiteness — they’re composed primarily of chalk. Put the location and look together and it comes as no surprise the cliffs have been an important military command station (Winston Churchill made the cliffs his personal base during World War II). Today, tourism helps sustain the cliffs: Visitors to the area — a stretch called White Cliffs Country (“a unique place where coast meets country…and England meets the Continent”) that encompasses the towns of Dover, Deal and Sandwich — can even arrange to have a “White Cliffs Greeter” show them the sights. — By Charles Passy

Patryk Kosmider / Shutterstock.com

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The Cliffs of Moher

They may not necessarily top Dover’s cliffs in terms of popular recognition, but they certainly top them in height: These reach as high as 702 feet. And they’re still plenty popular — they attract up to 1 million visitors a year, according to Ireland’s national tourism office. The coastline cliffs’ appeal is obvious: They offer vistas of Galway Bay, the Aran Islands and the mountain range known as the Twelves Bens. Little wonder the cliffs have been featured in plenty of films, including “The Princess Bride” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” But on a different pop-culture note, they’re also the place where the late British hitmaker Dusty Springfield had some of her ashes spread (she was of Irish ancestry). If you want to enjoy the view yourself, your best bet is to head to the Cliffs of Moher Visitors’ Centre, a place where you can take in the scene and snack on local specialties like scones and smoked fish all at once.

Humberto Ortega / Shutterstock.com

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La Quebrada

If you ever watched ABC’s Wide World of Sports in the ‘70s or came upon the old Elvis Presley movie “Fun in Acapulco,” then you’ll know these cliffs. They’re famous not so much for their look or height, but for the divers who fearlessly jump from them into the frothy waters below. It’s all a matter of timing: The divers must make the 136-foot jump at the right moment — when a wave is coming in — to avoid hitting the bottom of the 11-foot inlet and risk injury (or worse). The margin for error? “A two-second span,” according to the Visit Mexico website. The cliff-diving tradition dates back to 1934 and continues as a show that’s staged several times daily. There’s a nominal fee for admission to an observation deck.

Zalka / Shutterstock.com

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Troll Wall

In Norway, even the cliffs have a troll connection. The 3,600-foot Troll Wall (or Trollveggen), which is billed as “Europe’s tallest vertical, overhanging rock face” by local tourism authorities, takes its name from a legend involving a bridal party of trolls who were turned to stone. But the Troll Wall is also famous among rock climbers — it was first scaled in 1965 — and base jumpers (parachutists), despite the fact there have been a handful of fatalities recorded at the wall. If you’re looking for a safer experience, you can just head to the Trollveggen Visitor Centre, itself a striking, modernist space with viewing opportunities aplenty (think lots of clear glass).

dcwcreations / Shutterstock.com

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Half Dome

America’s most famous non-financial cliff is probably this natural treasure in California’s Yosemite National Park. Calling it a cliff might be a little misleading, however. It’s more like a mountain sliced in half, topping out at 4,737 feet, but the northwest face is considered cliff-like. It’s been immortalized in countless ways, from an iconic Ansel Adams photograph (“Moon and Half Dome”) to a brand logo (for the outdoor-gear company The North Face). Oh, and it also appeared on a U.S. coin — the California State quarter. To see it up close all you have to do is join the 4 million-plus visitors who make their way to Yosemite annually.

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